Apparatus for Performing Body Exercises Having Pivotally Mounted Stabilizers

ABSTRACT

Exercise apparatus having vertical towers rigidly attached to a base plate, including tower extensions that slide inside the tops of the vertical towers to increase their height, and further including base stabilizer leg extensions connected to the base plate to further stabilize the apparatus due to increased height. Base stabilizer mounts are secured to the top of the base plate for receiving base stabilizer legs that extend from the base plate to provide additional stability to the exercise apparatus during operation. Base stabilizer leg extensions can be included to extend the length of the base stabilizer legs. Each of the base stabilizer mounts are aligned along different geometric lines, and do not share any common geometric lines. Stabilizer arms also can be pivotally mounted to the corners of the base plate to provide additional directional stability for the exercise apparatus.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patentapplication having Ser. No. 13/035,102 filed on Feb. 25, 2011, andpublished on Jun. 23, 2011, with publication number 2011/0152046, whichis a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application having Ser.No. 12/541,929, filed on Aug. 15, 2009, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,931,575, on Apr. 26, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. provisionalpatent application having Ser. No. 61/089,530, filed on Aug. 16, 2008.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,575 and U.S. patent applications having Ser. Nos.13/035,102 and 61/089,530, all previously referenced immediately above,all are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into thiscurrent patent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for physical exercise, and moreparticularly, to a self-contained, exercise apparatus for use by anindividual for performing a variety of exercises to strengthen andcondition muscles.

2. Description of Related Art

Individuals of all ages are interested in staying fit and being incondition. One method of doing so is by jogging or walking outside or,when at home, by doing sit-ups, push-ups and stretching exercises. It iswell recognized, however, that these simple exercises affect only alimited number of muscles in a person's body.

At the present time there are many devices available for use by anindividual to exercise various muscles in his/her body. They are,however, usually designed for a specific exercise which affects only asingle group of muscles. They are not designed to help an individualexercise multiple groups of muscles in his or her body by performing aplurality of different exercises.

What is needed is an apparatus that is simple in design, economical tobuild, and can be used to exercise various muscles and groups of musclesin the human body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a self-containedportable exercise apparatus is disclosed for performing upper and/orlower body exercises. The self-contained portable exercise apparatus forperforming upper and lower body exercises includes a ground-engagingbase plate, a first vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate,a first plurality of holes in said first vertical tower, a secondvertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate, and a secondplurality of holes in said second vertical tower that are aligned withthe first plurality of holes located in the first vertical tower. Thebase plate extends between the first and second vertical towers, andsaid first and second plurality of holes are aligned toward each otherin a same linear direction. A first plurality of arc-shaped rods areconnected to the base plate for attaching stretch cords, and a cross barslidably extends through two aligned holes of the first and secondplurality of holes in said first and second vertical towers. A supportbar having first and second vertical members slidably couples to tops ofthe first and second vertical towers by inserting into the tops of thefirst and second vertical towers. The first and second collars on thefirst and second vertical members of the support bar to provide a stopto limit depth when the first and second vertical members are insertedinto the tops of the first and second vertical towers. A secondplurality of arc-shaped rods are connected to the first and secondvertical towers for attaching stretch cords, and a third plurality ofarc-shaped rods are connected to the support bar for attaching stretchcords.

Additionally, the exercise apparatus includes tower extensions that areslidably inserted into openings in the vertical towers and the verticalmembers. The tower extensions enable the height of the support bar to beadjusted using vertical towers of different lengths.

Base stabilizer mounts secured are secured to the top of the base platefor receiving base stabilizer legs that extend from the base plate toprovide additional stability to the exercise apparatus during operation.Base stabilizer leg extensions can be included to extend the length ofthe base stabilizer legs. Each of the base stabilizer mounts are alignedalong different geometric lines, and do not share any common geometricline.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the base stabilizerlegs are pivotally or rotatably mounted to the corners of the base plateto provide directional stability for different exercises and differenceexercise situations.

The present invention, due to numerous anchor points for the elastictubing, provides the capability to include resistance to any jointmovement from multiple angles (against a curvilinear movement) and frommultiple planes (for any curvilinear and linear movement),simultaneously, making any resistance training protocol more effectivethan any other gravity-dependent or non-gravity dependent trainingmechanism currently available.

Locations of the anchor points provide the capability to add resistance(through elastic tubing) to any of the body weight exercises (pull ups,push ups, dips). For example, elastic tubing can be stretched from onetower to the other so that the elastic tubing can be positioned acrossthe exercisers back while doing push ups or dips. In another example,the elastic tubing can be stretched from one end of the base to theother end of the base so that it can be placed across the exerciser'schest (to oppose the pull up movement) and/or hips (to place resistanceacross the core musculature).

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred features ofthe present invention so that those skilled in the art may betterunderstand the detailed description of the invention that follows.Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter thatform the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in theart should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conceptionand specific embodiments as a basis for designing or modifying otherstructures for carrying out the same purposes of the present inventionand that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scopeof the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an apparatus configured in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention that can be used when doingvarious exercises that provide resistance to various groups of musclesin accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus configured inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus configured inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus configured inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus configured inaccordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention,wherein the tubular base stabilizer mounts are not parallel to eachother; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus configured inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, whereinthe base stabilizer legs are pivotally mounted to the corners of thebase plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise apparatus 10 configured in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention. The exercise apparatus10 is portable and has multiple purposes and uses. The exerciseapparatus 10 enables a user to perform body exercises such as push-ups,pull-ups, dips, and the like. The exercise apparatus 10 includes astable, flat rectangular-type base 12 that has several rigidly attachedarch-shaped rods or bars 14 that provide anchor sites for stretch cords.Two vertical towers 18 are rigidly attached to the base 12 by weldingand/or bolts. The vertical towers 18 are spaced apart on the base 12 sothat enough room is provided for an individual to execute certainexercises while being positioned directly between the vertical towers18. Each vertical tower 18 has holes 20 that are aligned with holes inthe opposite vertical tower 18 through which a round straight cross barcan be inserted to create a level bridge from one vertical tower 18 tothe other vertical tower 18. A person holds onto the cross bar toperform push-ups, pull-ups, dips, stretching, balancing or any otherbody weight-type exercise. Multiple arch-shaped rods 19 are attached tothe vertical towers 18 by bolts and/or welding. The locations of thearch-shaped rods 19 are the same on each vertical tower 18. Thesearch-shaped rods 19 also provide anchor points for stretch cords.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an exercise apparatus 40 configured inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Theexercise apparatus 40 includes a metal base plate 31 having severalarch-shaped rods 33 bolted or welded to the base plate 31. Thearch-shaped rods 33 provide an anchor point for stretch cords. A handle35, formed from a U-shaped rod, is bolted or welded to the base plate31. A pair of wheels 37 is welded or bolted to an end of the base plate31 opposing the handle 35. The handle 35 enables a user to lift an endof the base plate 31 off the ground and roll the apparatus 40 to a newdesired location using the pair of wheels 37.

A first vertical tower 21 and a second vertical tower 23 are rigidlysecured to the base plate 31 by welding or bolts 39 securing flanges 41to the base plate 31. A flange 41 is preferably welded to the base ofeach vertical tower 21, 23. Each vertical tower 21, 23 includes aplurality of metal arch-shaped rods 24, 25, respectively. Thearch-shaped rods 24, 25 are designed to provide an anchor site forstretch cords, similar to the arch-shaped rods 33 located upon the baseplate 31. A cross bar 22 is inserted into holes at equal heights withinthe vertical towers 21,23. A person can hold onto the cross bar 22 toperform push-ups, pull-ups, dips, stretching, balancing or any otherbody weight-type exercise.

Located across the top of the two towers 21,23 is a support bar 30 thatincludes vertical members 32, 34. Each vertical member 32,34 includes atab 43,45, respectively, that is inserted into an opening 44,46 on thetop of each vertical tower 21,23. The vertical members 32,34 arepreferably sized to have a width similar to the vertical towers 21,23 soas not to fit inside the openings 44,46. However, in other embodimentsthe vertical members 32,34 could slide inside the openings 44,46 andcollars 36,38 located on the vertical members 32,34 function as a stopplate to prevent the vertical members 36,38 from being inserted into thevertical towers 21,23 past the collars 36,38. The collars 36, 38 arepreferably metal and welded to the vertical members 32,34 to provide astop plate that defines the depth that the vertical members 32,34 canslide into openings 44,46 in the top of the vertical towers 21,23 if thevertical members have a smaller width than the vertical towers 21,23.The vertical members 32,34 are metal and preferably welded to thesupport bar 30.

The support bar 30 provides stability to the vertical towers 21,23.Additionally, a plurality of arch-shaped metal rods 42 are attached tothe support bar 30 by welding or bolts to provide an anchor for stretchcord clips when stretch cords are being used in various exercises.

The exercise apparatus 40 can easily accommodate four userssimultaneously. Depending upon the exercises being performed, as many aseight people can use the apparatus at the same time. The apparatus canbe used in conjunction with other pieces of exercise equipment, such asBosu® trainers, steps, stability balls, dumbbells, body bars, foamrollers, medicine balls, weighted vests, and balance boards.

The apparatus 40 can be used for functional training, sport-specifictraining, and traditional exercise/fitness training. A user has thecapability of performing multiple exercises at the same time. Forexample, while a user is seated on a chair, the user can be performing achest press (one arm or two arms) while also executing a knee extensionor leg press exercise. Clips attached to stretch cords provide quick andeasy changeover of stretch cords for changing exercises.

Clips also provide quick and easy changeover of accessories, such ashandles and ankle cuffs. Stretch cords typically have three differentresistance levels and four different lengths, such as 6″, 12″, 18″ and24.″ The resistance level for any exercise can be easily increased byadding more stretch cords to the same anchor point. Additional stretchcords or bands can be used with the apparatus using hardware that can bepurchased at a local hardware store. Each of the arch-shaped rods33,24,25,42 is large enough to accommodate multiple clips, enabling auser to easily increase resistance by adding more stretch cords. Inother embodiments there can be more or fewer arch-shaped rods 24,25 onthe vertical towers 21,23. The support bar 30 is removable and has 3high anchor loops 42 for stretch cords. The support bar 30 maintainsstability by reducing flexing of the base plate 31 and movement of thevertical towers 21,23 during certain exercises.

The support bar 30 is preferably round and provides a higher point fromwhich to perform pull-up exercises. The vertical towers 21,23 are spacedfar enough apart to allow use of other equipment with the apparatus 40,including but not limited to Bosu® Trainers, stability balls, weightbenches, chairs, and step platforms. The vertical towers 21,23 also arespaced far enough apart to accommodate most wheel chairs for disabledexercisers.

The height of the cross bar 22 is adjustable. The vertical towers 21,23preferably have five pairs of holes at different heights which arespaced at predetermined distances from the base plate 31 and used forbody weight exercises (push-ups, pull-ups, and dips) according toprogressive overload principles. The apparatus 40 can be used forflexibility training. The apparatus 40 also can be used as anotheranchor point for stretch cords or as a “barbell” (attach stretch cordsor handles around each end) for exercises such as squats, barbell curls,and bent over row.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exercise apparatus 50 configured in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exercise apparatus 50 shown inFIG. 4 includes a planar base plate 52 which is constructed of metal.Arch-shaped metal rods 54 are attached to the base plate 31 by bolts orwelding. A metal U-shaped handle 56 also is attached to the base plate52 by bolts or welding. The handle 56 enables a user to lift the baseplate 52 up at one end and move the exercise apparatus 50 to a desiredlocation. Wheels also may be attached to the end of the base plate 52opposite the handle 56 to facilitate moving the exercise apparatus 52 toa new location.

Vertical towers 57,58 are secured to the base plate 52. Flanges 59, 60are attached to the bottom of vertical towers 57, 58, respectively, bywelding. The flanges 59, 60 are then used to secure the vertical towers57, 58 to the base plate 52 by welding or bolts. The vertical towers 57,58 include metal arch-shaped rods 61, 62 which are bolted or welded tothe vertical towers 57, 58, respectively. The arc-shaped rods 61 onvertical tower 57 and the arc-shaped rods 62 on vertical tower 58 arelocated at similar corresponding locations on the vertical towers 57,58. Preferably, the arc-shaped rods 61 and the arc-shaped rods 62 arepositioned equidistant from each other on their respective verticaltowers 57, 58.

The vertical towers 57,58 include holes 63,64, respectively, which passcompletely through their vertical towers 57, 58. The holes 63,64 arelocated at similar corresponding heights on their respective verticaltowers 57, 58, and are preferably spaced apart equally. The holes orapertures 63, 64 are sized and designed to receive a crossbar, similarto the crossbar 22 shown in FIG. 2. A crossbar slides into any of thecorresponding holes 63, 64 to position the crossbar at variable heightswithin the exercise apparatus 50.

The top of each vertical tower 57,58 has an opening 53,55 sized toreceive a vertical member 65, 66 or a tower extension 67, 68. Verticalmembers 65, 66 include tabs 69,70, respectively, which are located atthe ends of the vertical members 65,66 and have a slightly smaller widththen the vertical members 65,66. Accordingly, when the tabs 69, 70 areinserted into a receptacle sized for the tabs 69, 70, the larger widthof the vertical members 65,66 will function to operate as a stop plateto prevent the vertical members 65,66 from being inserted beyond thelength of the tabs 69, 70. Similarly, the tower extensions 67, 68 alsoinclude tabs 71, 72, respectively, at the end of each tower extension67, 68. The tabs 71, 72 have a width slightly smaller than the towerextensions 67, 68. Similarly, the increased width of the towerextensions 67, 68 prevent the tower extensions 67, 68 from beinginserted into a receptacle or properly sized opening beyond the depth ofthe tabs 71, 72.

The vertical members 65,66 are connected by a round metal support bar74. The support bar 74 includes arc-shaped rods 75 on the bottom side ofthe support bar 74. Similar to the arc-shaped rods 54,61,62, thearc-shaped rods 75 can be used to attach stretch cords using clips. Inaddition to providing additional stability the vertical towers 57,58,the support bar 74 can be used for pull-ups and additional stretch cordexercises.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, tower extensions67, 68 are inserted into the openings 53, 55 on the tops of the verticaltowers 57,58 to increase the height of the support bar 74. While thepresent embodiment enables the support bar 74 to be positioned at astandard height by not using the tower extensions 67, 68, towerextensions 67,68 enable a user to adjust the height of the support bar74 to variable increased heights by using tower extensions 67,68 ofdifferent lengths. While each pair of tower extensions 67,68 need to besimilar lengths to keep the support bar 74 parallel to the base plate52, a user can increase the height of the support bar 74 to the desiredheight by selecting a pair of tower extensions 67,68 having theappropriate length.

Tower extensions 67, 68 are attached to the exercise apparatus 50 byinserting the tabs 71, 72 of the tower extensions 67, 68, respectively,into the openings 53, 55 into tops of the vertical towers 53, 55,respectively. In turn, the tabs 69, 70 of the corresponding verticalmembers 65, 66 are inserted into the openings 76, 77 on the tops of thecorresponding tower extensions 67, 68. If desired, holes for receiving acrossbar may be included in the tower extensions 67, 68 in order toincrease the available height options for a user of a crossbar. Thetower extensions 67,68 have a greater width than the opening 53,55, andfunction as stop plates to limit the depth tabs 71,72 are inserted intothe openings 53,55. Similarly, the vertical members 65,66 have widthsgreater than the openings 76,77, and function as a stop plate to limitthe depth tabs 69,70 are inserted into the openings 76,77.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exercise apparatus 100 configured in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 2-4, the exercise apparatus 100 includes aplanar metal base plate 102 having arc-shaped rods 104. Vertical towers106, 108 are rigidly secured to the base plate 102. Apertures or holes110, 112 are included in the vertical towers 106, 108 for receiving acrossbar 114 which is sized to slide snugly through each of thecorresponding holes 110, 112. The holes 110, 112 are preferably locatedat equidistant locations on each vertical tower 106, 108 and at equalheights from the base plate 102 on each vertical tower 106, 108. Thevertical towers 106, 108 are rigidly secured to the base plate 102 byflanges 116,118 which are welded to the bottom of each vertical tower106, 108 and then the flanges 116, 118 are securely bolted using bolts117 and/or welded to the base plate 102. The vertical towers 106, 108include arc-shaped rods 120, 122 at equal height locations andpreferably equidistant or spaced equally apart on each vertical tower106, 108.

A U-shaped metal handle 101 is bolted to a first end 107 of the baseplate 102, and a pair of wheels 103 are secured to the opposing secondend 109 of the base plate 102 by brackets 105. The handle 101 enables auser to lift an end of the base plate 102 off the ground and roll theexercise apparatus 100 to a new desired location using the pair ofwheels 103 on the opposing end of the base plate 102.

Tower extensions 124, 126 include tabs 128,130 which are inserted intothe corresponding openings 132, 134 of the vertical towers 106, 108.Vertical members 136, 138 having corresponding tabs 140, 142 areinserted into openings 144, 146 of the tower extensions 124, 126. Asupport bar 148 is rigidly connected to the tops of the vertical members136, 138. Arc-shaped rods 149 are attached to the support bar 148 forreceiving one or more stretch cords 150 having a handle 151 which areconnected to the arc-shaped rods 149 by clips.

In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment of the presentinvention, base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 are attached to thebase plate 102 to improve the stability of the exercise apparatus 100.Each of the base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 include metal orrubber footpads 160, 162, 164, 166 which are welded, screwed, or gluedto the each respective base stabilizer leg 152, 154, 156, 158. The basestabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 are preferably hollow steel tubes,which may have a rectangular, circular or other cross-sectionalconfiguration.

Base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174 are hollow steel tubes thatare welded to the top of opposing ends of the base plate 102 andpreferably have a rectangular cross section configuration. The basestabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174 are open ended and sized to receivea base stabilizer leg 152, 154, 156, or 158 in an open end. Each of thebase stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 are sized to snugly slide intoan opening on the end of each base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174.By sliding a base stabilizer leg 152, 154, 156 or 158 into the each ofthe base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174, the footprint oreffective size of the base plate 102 is greatly increased to addadditional front and back stability to the exercise apparatus 100. Thisincreased stability enables a user to confidently utilize the towerextensions 124, 126 to increase the height of the support bar 148without significantly reducing the stability of the exercise apparatus100.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, basestabilizer leg extensions 176, 178, 180, 182 may be slidably coupledbetween each of the base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174 and thebase stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 to further increase theeffective length of the base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158. Thebase stabilizer leg extensions 176, 178, 180, 182 include a hollow tubecoupler 184, 186, 188, 190 having one end welded to the base stabilizerleg extension 176, 178, 180, 182 and the other end of the coupler 184,186, 188, 190 open and sized for receiving a base stabilizer leg 152,154, 156, 158. In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular basestabilizer mounts 168 and 170 are parallel to each other, and thetubular base stabilizer mounts 172 and 174 are parallel to each other.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exercise apparatus 200 configured in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention. The exercise apparatus200 is similar to the exercise apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 5, except thetubular base stabilizer mounts 168 and 170 are not parallel to eachother, and the tubular base stabilizer mounts 172 and 174 are notparallel to each other.

First geometric line 202 illustrates the alignment direction of firsttubular base stabilizer mount 168, and second geometric line 204illustrates the alignment direction 204 of second tubular basestabilizer mount 170. Similarly, third geometric line 206 illustratesthe alignment direction of third tubular base stabilizer mount 172, andfourth geometric line 208 illustrates the alignment direction of fourthtubular base stabilizer mount 174.

In contrast to the parallel alignment directions of the tubular basestabilizer mounts 168,170,172,174 shown in FIG. 5, the alignmentdirections of the tubular base stabilizer mounts 168,170,172,174 shownin FIG. 6 are not aligned in parallel. The first geometric line 202 andthe second geometric line 204 are not aligned in parallel. Similarly,the third geometric line 206 and fourth geometric line 208 are notaligned in parallel. The divergent directions of the first and secondtubular base stabilizer mounts 168,170 is illustrated by the greater gap210 between one end of the first and second tubular base stabilizermounts. Similarly, the divergent directions of the third and fourthtubular base stabilizer mounts 172 and 174 is illustrated by the greatergap 212 between one end of the third and fourth tubular base stabilizermounts.

While the tubular base stabilizer mounts 168,170,172,174 are not inparallel, they are mounted to the top 111 of the base plate 102 bywelding, similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. It should be notedthat while the tubular base stabilizer mounts 168,170,172,174 arepreferably mounted in parallel, FIG. 6 is provided to illustratemounting the tubular base stabilizer mounts 168,170,172,174 is parallelis not specifically necessary.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exercise apparatus 300 configured in accordancewith a further embodiment of the present invention. The exerciseapparatus shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5and 6, except the base stabilizer legs 152,154,156,158 are pivotally orrotatably mounted to the base plate 102. By being pivotally mounted tothe base plate 102, the base stabilizer legs 152,154,156,158 can berotated to provide additional and adjustable directional stability forspecific exercises and uses of the exercise apparatus 300.

Each base stabilizer leg 152,154,156,158 is pivotally mounted to the top111 of the base place 102 preferably using a bolt 302,304,306,308,respectively, mounted to the base plate 102. For additional support, afirst, second, third and further base mount 310,312,314,316 is welded totop 111 of each corner of the base plate 102, and each base stabilizerleg 152,154,156,158 is pivotally mounted to each base mount310,312,314,316, respectively, by the bolt 302,304,306,308,respectively. The base mounts 310,312,314,316 and corresponding bolts302,304,306,308 are constructed of metal. A metal support bar 320 iswelded to the top 111 of the base plate 102 and connected to base mounts310 and 312 to provide additional strength and stability. A metalsupport bar 312 is welded to the top 111 of the base plate 102 andconnected to base mounts 314 and 316 to provide additional strength andstability.

Also, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6, and as illustrated in FIG. 7,the base stabilizer leg 158 can rotatably or pivotally mounted to thetop 111 of the base plate via a pivotally or rotatably mounted tubulararm 330 slidably coupled to the base stabilizer leg extension 182 havinga coupler 190 for receiving the base stabilizer leg 158. The basestabilizer leg extension 182 can be slidably coupled to the tubular arm330 using a coupler similar to coupler 190, or by sliding over thetubular arm 330 if it has a larger diameter, or by sliding inside thetubular arm 330 if it has a smaller diameter. Base stabilizer legextensions 176, 178, 180 could also be included to extend the length orreach of the base stabilizer legs 152,154,156 in the embodiment shown inFIG. 7

While specific embodiments have been shown and described to point outfundamental and novel features of the invention as applied to thepreferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes of the form and details of the apparatusillustrated and in the operation may be done by those skilled in theart, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. A portable exercise apparatus for performing upper and lower bodyexercises, comprising: a planar ground-engaging base plate having a topside, a bottom side, a first end, and a second end opposite the firstend of the base plate; a first vertical tower rigidly attached to saidbase plate; a second vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate;said base plate extending between the first and second vertical towers,a first tower extension having a bottom end for slidably coupling to atop of the first vertical tower; a second tower extension having abottom end for slidably coupling to a top of the second vertical tower;a support bar having first and second vertical members, wherein saidfirst vertical member slidably couples to a top of the first towerextension, and said second vertical member slidably couples to a top ofthe second tower extension; first and second tubular base stabilizermounts rigidly secured to the top side and proximate to the first end ofthe base plate, wherein the first tubular base stabilizer mount extendsalong a first geometric line and the second tubular base stabilizermount extends along a second geometric line; third and fourth tubularbase stabilizer mounts rigidly secured to the top side and proximate tothe second end of the base plate, wherein the third tubular basestabilizer mount extends along a third geometric line and the fourthtubular base stabilizer mount extends along a fourth geometric line;said first, second, third, and fourth geometric lines are all differentgeometric lines; a first base stabilizer leg extension slidably coupledto the first tubular base stabilizer mount; a second base stabilizer legextension slidably coupled to the second tubular base stabilizer mount,wherein the first and the second base stabilizer leg extensions extendin opposing directions; a third base stabilizer leg extension slidablycoupled to the third tubular base stabilizer mount; a fourth basestabilizer leg extension slidably coupled to the fourth tubular basestabilizer mount, wherein the third and the fourth base stabilizer legextensions extend in opposing directions; a first base stabilizer legslidably coupled to the first base stabilizer leg extension; a secondbase stabilizer leg slidably coupled to the second base stabilizer legextension; a third base stabilizer leg slidably coupled to the thirdbase stabilizer leg extension; and a fourth base stabilizer leg slidablycoupled to the fourth base stabilizer leg extension.
 2. The exerciseapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourthgeometric lines are all parallel to each other.
 3. The exerciseapparatus of claim 1, wherein: said first vertical tower includes afirst plurality of holes; said second vertical tower includes a secondplurality of holes that are aligned with the first plurality of holeslocated in the first vertical tower; and said first and second pluralityof holes being aligned toward each other in a same linear direction, andsaid exercise apparatus further comprising: a cross bar that slidablyextends through two aligned holes of the first and second plurality ofholes in said first and second vertical towers, wherein the diameter ofthe first and the second plurality of holes are similar to the diameterof the cross bar such that the cross bar can pass completely through thefirst and the second plurality of holes.
 4. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a first plurality of arc-shaped rodsconnected to the base plate for attaching stretch cords; a secondplurality of arc-shaped rods connected to the first and second verticaltowers for attaching stretch cords; and a third plurality of arc-shapedrods connected to the support bar for attaching stretch cords.
 5. Theexercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second verticalmembers of the support bar slidably couple to the top ends of the firstand second tower extensions by sliding inside openings at the top endsof the first and second tower extensions, and the bottom end of thefirst and second tower extensions slidably couple to the top of thefirst and second vertical towers, respectively, by sliding inside thetops of the first and second vertical towers.
 6. The exercise apparatusof claim 5, further comprising: a first collar on the first verticalmember; and a second collar on the second vertical member, wherein thefirst and second collars provide a stop to limit depth the first andsecond vertical members slide inside the top ends of the first andsecond tower extensions.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, furthercomprising: a first tab on the first vertical member sized to slideinside the opening on the top end of the first tower extension, and thefirst vertical member is too wide to slide inside the opening on the topend of the first tower extension; and a second tab on the secondvertical member sized to slide inside the opening on the top end of thesecond tower extension, and the second vertical member is too wide toslide inside the opening on the top end of the second tower extension.8. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a third tab onthe bottom end of the first tower extension sized to slide inside theopening on the top of the first vertical tower, and the first towerextension is too wide to slide inside the opening on the top of thefirst vertical tower; and a fourth tab on the second tower extensionsized to slide inside the opening on the top of the second verticaltower, and the second tower extension is too wide to slide inside theopening on the top of the second vertical tower.
 9. The exerciseapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first flange on a bottom ofthe first vertical tower; a second flange on a bottom of the secondvertical tower; and the first and second flanges are secured to the baseplate.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first andsecond flanges are secured to the base plate by bolts.
 11. A portableexercise apparatus for performing upper and lower body exercises,comprising: a rectangular, planar, ground-engaging base plate having atop side, a bottom side, a first end, and a second end opposite thefirst end of the base plate; a first vertical tower rigidly attached tosaid base plate; a second vertical tower rigidly attached to said baseplate; said base plate extending between the first and second verticaltowers; a support bar extending between and connected to a top of thefirst vertical tower and a top of the second vertical tower; and a firstand a second base stabilizer leg connected to opposing ends of the baseplate; a first base stabilizer leg pivotally mounted to the top of afirst corner of the base plate; a second base stabilizer leg pivotallymounted to the top of a second corner of the base plate; a third basestabilizer leg pivotally mounted to the top of a third corner of thebase plate; and a fourth base stabilizer leg pivotally mounted to thetop of a fourth corner of the base plate.
 12. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 11, further comprising: a plurality of wheels coupled to the baseplate for moving the exercise apparatus.
 13. A portable exerciseapparatus for performing upper and lower body exercises, comprising: arectangular, planar, ground-engaging base plate having a top side, abottom side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end of thebase plate; a first vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate;a second vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate; said baseplate extending between the first and second vertical towers; a supportbar extending between and connected to a top of the first vertical towerand a top of the second vertical tower; and a first and a second basestabilizer leg connected to opposing ends of the base plate; a firstbase stabilizer leg rotatably mounted to the top of a first corner ofthe base plate; a second base stabilizer leg rotatably mounted to thetop of a second corner of the base plate; a third base stabilizer legrotatably mounted to the top of a third corner of the base plate; and afourth base stabilizer leg rotatably mounted to the top of a fourthcorner of the base plate.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: saidfirst vertical tower includes a first plurality of holes; said secondvertical tower includes a second plurality of holes that are alignedwith the first plurality of holes located in the first vertical tower;said first and second plurality of holes being aligned toward each otherin a same linear direction; and said exercise apparatus furthercomprising: a cross bar that slidably extends through two aligned holesof the first and second plurality of holes in said first and secondvertical towers.